A new criminal case has been filed against Armenia's third President, Serzh Sargsyan, concerning the sale of Defense Ministry land on Isakov Avenue. The charges include embezzlement, money laundering, and incitement to commit these crimes.
The case involves the direct sale of land plots owned by the Ministry of Defense. Vachagan Ghazaryan, former head of Sargsyan's security service, is also implicated. The trial is being conducted in the Anti-Corruption Court, presided over by Judge Aram Grigoryan, as reported by Factor.am .
According to the indictment, between May 20, 2000, and April 4, 2007, while serving as Defense Minister and a member of the Armenian government, Sargsyan had the authority to manage and oversee the ministry's activities, including state property management. He held the power to issue orders and directives within the legal framework and to act on behalf of the Republic of Armenia or the ministry.
During Sargsyan's tenure, on January 25, 2005, the Armenian government authorized the Defense Ministry to sell its land plots through direct sales. This decision was ratified by the President on February 28. Subsequently, on March 31, a new decision clarified the previous one, granting the ministry the authority to sell the land, including through direct sales. This was approved by the President on April 11.
The indictment alleges that in 2005-2006, Sargsyan, motivated by personal and group interests, facilitated the sale of 17 real estate units located on Admiral Isakov Avenue and adjacent to the Yerablur Military Pantheon. These properties were sold at prices significantly below market value to individuals connected to Sargsyan, including subordinates and associates, violating Article 66 of the Land Code, which governs the direct sale of state-owned land. The alleged actions resulted in the misappropriation of state property through 15 instances of embezzlement and 2 instances of misappropriation.
Two additional individuals are charged in the case. Aleksan Joniki Aleksanyan is accused of assisting a public official in embezzling large-scale property and aiding members of the "Toyota-Yerevan" LLC in laundering property acquired through criminal means.
Aleksanyan allegedly agreed to act as a nominal buyer in transactions related to the property sales. Following this, Sargsyan, in collaboration with individuals connected to "Toyota-Yerevan" LLC—including Sedrak Kocharyan (son of former President Robert Kocharyan), Andranik Gevorgyan (father of a former presidential aide), and Samvel Mayrapetyan (a participant in the company)—facilitated the acquisition of land at prices significantly below market value. This was done by exploiting official positions and violating legal procedures for the direct sale of state-owned land, specifically a 1.194-hectare plot near the Yerablur Military Pantheon.
Valeri Nariman Grigoryan is also accused of aiding in the embezzlement of state property. As the former commander of the 4th Army Corps and an associate of Sargsyan, he allegedly agreed to purchase the same 1.194-hectare land plot at a price well below market value, with the intention of reselling it at a higher price for profit.
All three accused individuals have been subjected to travel restrictions. The case files do not mention the names of their defense attorneys, and their positions regarding the charges are unknown. Previously, Sargsyan commented on the matter to Factor TV, stating, "It was necessary, so they sold it."
In the case materials involving Vachagan Ghazaryan, it is noted that the municipality provided the land to the Defense Ministry specifically for sale, with the proceeds directed to off-budget accounts. Initially, prosecutors and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that the land belonged to the Yerablur Pantheon. However, Factor TV's inquiry revealed that the land was adjacent to, but not part of, the pantheon.
Recently, the Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals overturned Sargsyan's acquittal in another case, and it is anticipated that the current case will soon proceed to a new trial.
